In her own words. Vera Twomey wrote down the key points that Tipperary Council would hear through Martin Browne.

I am not pleased that Mr Simon Harris has so far shown no inclination to assist; instead, it seems he has already reneged on his commitments.

Cllr Martin Browne of Sinn Féin has commended Tipperary County Councillors on their passing of a Sinn Féin resolution to support Vera Twomey. Vera Twomey has walked from Cork to Dublin to gain access to medicinal cannabis for her 7-year old daughter Ava who has epilepsy.

Cllr Browne said: “When I visited her at home on Sunday Vera wrote out some points she wanted me to make. I believe that the clear presentation of her argument is one of the deciding factors. Of course, it could just be that this was the right thing to do.”

“As we’ve seen, Vera’s case has garnered huge attention; regular readers should remember that just because RTE and the local papers don’t cover a story, doesn’t mean there isn’t a story. The story gets out via new media, and that’s true in this case. That attention is welcome if it brings change, and that means motions like this one to put the State on notice that the citizens aren’t happy with the treatment of the most vulnerable.”

The Sinn Féin motion.

“We put in a motion in the name of the 5 Sinn Féin councillors and are pleased to say the other councillors present supported it.”

“We in Sinn Féin in Tipperary were touched when we heard of the story of Vera and Ava. We really didn’t have any choice but to support her; we don’t see how anyone could fail to be moved by the situation of that family.”

“I’m glad to be able to say that I was able to travel much of the distance with her, and was witness to the huge outpouring of support in Dublin and outside Leinster House. But I am not pleased that Mr Simon Harris has so far shown no inclination to assist; instead, it seems he has already reneged on his commitments.”

Martin Browne in Cahir, and arriving in Dublin with the group.Vera Twomey in Cahir, County Tipperary.

Tipperary Sinn Féin Councillors support call on Minister for Housing, Simon Coveney, to speed up the delivery of social housing to meet the growing number of people in emergency accommodation. The call comes as the Department of Housing published the December homeless figures showing yet another increase in the number of people in emergency accommodation.

Speaking on this, Councillor Martin Browne said: “The latest homeless figures published by the Department of Housing show yet another increase in the number of people in emergency accommodation. On that month, December, 4643 adults were in emergency accommodation, an increase of 207 people on November. For the first time since these figures were collated we now have more than 7000 in Department of Housing funded emergency accommodation.”

Sinn Fein Councillor Davy Dunne added: “This figure does not include adults and children in Tusla funded domestic violence emergency accommodation, non-Irish nationals in emergency accommodation funded by the New Communities Unit of the Department of Social Protection or the 400 families trapped in Direct Provision despite having their Stamp 4 visas.”

Councillor Catherine Carey stated: “The Government refuses to fully fund the purchase of up to 1000 houses offered for sale by AIB and PTSB. To date funding has only been approved for 200 of these units and contracts signed on only 30.”

Councillor Davy Doran said: “Minister Coveney keeps telling us that money is not a problem in tackling the homeless crisis. Yet houses for sale that could house homeless families are not being bought. The Minister needs to either put his money where is mouth is and buy those 1000 units Catherine mentioned or explain to the Dáil the reasons why he has chosen not to take families out of emergency accommodation and put them into houses that tonight are lying empty.”

Sinn Féin Tipperary say that the recent budget was a wasted opportunity to end some of the austerity measures which have been piled upon the Irish public. This and previous governments have inflicted their financial philosophies on the people, and are in no rush to alleviate this.

Sinn Féin Tipperary said: “This was a chance for the coalition FG/Independents and their coalition partners on the opposition benches – Fianna Fáil – to give meaningful relief to Irish families. Instead we got a weak attempt to be seen to be helping everyone, but really it’s just widening the wealth divide.”

“Tipperary Sinn Féin point to the introduction of the €20,000 grant for first time buyers as a failed attempt to solve the housing problem, a crisis which the Government still fails to fully acknowledge. This will only worsen the crisis and looks after those who are purchasing €600,000 starter homes. Expert opinion before the budget warned the minister that this would drive up prices, but he ignored the advice.”

“Sinn Féin welcomes the childcare intervention, but feel it is inadequate considering the investment required in this sector. There’s only €35.5 million provided here which will make little difference as those struggling at present will continue to do so. In Sinn Féin’s alternative budget proposals we had promised to invest €187 million in the sector and to make a real difference to struggling families.”

“The social welfare increase shows how little FF-FG and their partners care about the neediest in our society. After loss of their ESB/phone allowances over the past years, pensioners have gotten a five euro increase. This is an insult to those who have worked all their lives, paid taxes, and rebuilt this country every time FF/FG with their boom and bust policies destroyed it. We also know that the increase of €2.70 and €3.50 for the young and unemployed won’t stop thousands of them from emigrating.”

“While there are tweaks in the USC charges those make very little difference to the ordinary worker who in most cases will come out with little over €2 a week more, barely the price of a cup of coffee.”

“All of this was done in what was described as spreading the recovery, but Sinn Féin feel the only rewards were for the high earners, and for ministers and TDs who were to receive a massive increase in their own wages. To add further insult to the electorate they had planned to bring this in on the first of January, while everyone else must wait until some time in March for their increase. New politics goes out the door when it involves their own wages. Sinn Féin were the only party to include a reduction in TDs salaries in their budget submissions. “

“This government and their FF partners have again failed to recognise or relate to the real problems which the majority are facing. We think it’s laughable that FF who last week were congratulating themselves for formulating this budget, are trying to distance themselves from the shambles they created. Public criticism and media backlash caused this change. What is clear with this budget is that there is no difference between FF or FG. It’s power – not fairness or equality – which drives them.”

Since the prospect of commemorating the 1916 rising arrived in the public consciousness, there has been renewed examination of the operation of southern State, and renewed conversations about unity of the island.

Sinn Féin county PRO Fachtna Roe

Sinn Féin county PRO Fachtna Roe said: “In November RTE held a Prime Time Special in conjunction with BBC NI. As part of that programme a survey was carried out to determine what levels of public support there are for re-uniting the island.”

“RTE and BBC NI linked the question of re-unification with taxation levels, which necessarily skewed the results of the survey. Most people feel that we don’t get enough good quality service for our taxes anyway, so the prospect of increased taxation was always going to reduce support levels.”

“What wasn’t properly analysed in that programme was the benefits that might accrue from such unity. Thankfully, others have provided some information in this regard, and just as Sinn Féin has said for some time, there are benefits and efficiencies that would arise. Below is quote from the article.”

“However, if one would try to calculate counterfactual costs, it is probably an excellent investment.”

The advantages of unification would be seen on both sides of the border but mainly felt in the North of Ireland, according to Prof Huebner.

“The Republic of Ireland would benefit quite a lot, but the benefits would be mainly accrued by Northern Ireland,” he said.

“And that’s not really a surprise, because if you compare the two entities, then Northern Ireland is obviously the less developed economy.”

“Apart from the aspiration for a whole-island for cultural reasons, there are obvious advantages to not having two Governments, two police forces, two civil services etc.”

Cllr David Doran said: “There’s no logic to justify the continued separation of this island. Both parts have to provide the same basic supports. In addition Belfast is beholden to London for finance.”

Cllr David Doran of Thurles Sinn Féin.

“Because there is duplication of effort on both parts of the island, there is money spent twice on the one thing. That money can’t be spent elsewhere. We can see the harm of that in the levels of Austerity that have been applied.”

“Austerity hits the poorest the most, but there is more Austerity when there is recklessness spending. What can be more reckless than having two separate Governments on one small island – along with all the costs that entails?”

“At some point we are going to have to examine closely what our intention as a Nation is. Certainly in the south there has not been enough conversation around this question.”

Fachtna Roe added:”The RTE survey results in November 2015 may have answered the re-unification question to the satisfaction of some. But clearly, not so for all.”

“There is mounting evidence that the changes brought about by peaceful re-unification will be positive on the whole. There will be costs, no one can deny that. But Europe must stand ready to help us, just as we supported Germany when it had the opportunity to re-unify.”

“It is better for the southern State to start examining this question more closely now, rather than later. If Brexit does occur, the opportunity for careful planning will be gone. At that point gone also will be the attention or interest of whatever Government sits in London.”

“Deciding to re-examine the border and it’s meaning may also provide an opportunity to redesign both the southern and northern States from the ground up. Doing so may remove the last inequalities that stand between us and being a Republic, by using the best ideas from both sides of the border to create a State even the women and men of 1916 would be proud of, while yet being a State that Unionists can feel at home in.”

Tipperary Sinn Féin’s annual Easter commemorations have again been held to remember those who have gone before us in the on-going struggle to establish a Republic.

PRO Fachtna Roe said: “With traditional Republican parades and commemorations in all parts of the country being over-shadowed by the one-off interest of the Irish State, it’s a little humbling to see a new generation of Tipperary Republicans stepping up and continuing the traditions in the county.”

“The Tipperary Republican community is fortunate to have a resource as impressive as the young people in the Carrick-on-Suir Republican Flute Band, who lead each commemoration march. They provide the music and create a rhythmically throbbing atmosphere for each event.”

“On Sunday the band marched through their home-town and didn’t miss a step or a beat even when the weather turned cold and stinging hailstones were flung from the sky. On Monday they basked in the Spring sun and filled the town of Golden with a stirring marching beat. On both occasions, parents and supporters alike were filled with pride, hope, and optimism.”

Cllr Martin Browne added, “We commemorated Tipperary’s signatory to the Proclamation, Tomás MacDonagh in Golden. We had the honour of having Sinn Féin Seanad candidate Cllr Máire Devine as the main speaker, who reminded us that the Irish State does not yet live up to the ideals of our Republican predecessors from 1916. Our numbers continue to grow, as more citizens realise that the job is not yet done. By reference to the past, these commemorations remind us of the challenges ahead.”

“I hope that because of the renewed interest in the events of 100 years ago, that more citizens will realise that they have been duped, and that they don’t actually live in a Republic at all. They live in something which is described as a Republic. Over the next few years I hope the public at large will show enough interest to join us at these events, to learn a little of the truth of our history, and to understand why Republicanism has such an abiding and unshakeable support amongst Republican families, including my own.”

Cllr David Doran added, “We presented Máire with a camogie stick made here in Tipperary, a symbol of our common heritage that unites us across the island. It is part of our heritage also to strive for an equal and free island, a real Republic of the Irish that doesn’t just pay lip-service to the ideals of 1916.”

“We also had volunteers here who read the roll of honour of fallen Republicans. There have been so many over the last 100 years who have given great service – and also had to give their lives – in the pursuit of an ideal.”

“Even the British who executed the 1916 leaders respectfully acknowledged that these men went to their death with great honour and dignity. That alone showed them not to be ordinary people, but ordinary people who stepped up to become warriors. The 26-county state has a long way to go before it can claim the ideal those people lived and died for has been achieved. A parade every 50 years does not do justice to their courage.”

Newly elected Sinn Féin TD for Carlow/Kilkenny shortly before delivering the oration in Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary.

Cllr David Dunne added, “Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity, for Catholic, Protestant and Dissenter alike is part of our dream for all. We had the honour of having Kathleen Funchion TD with us in Carrick on Sunday, who reminded us that no one can look at our island or at the Irish State today and claim all has been achieved. It hasn’t.”

“We gathered today to honour those who went before us and that we did in style. The young people in the band, the young people who gathered to watch, and the young people who performed interpretative dance on the bridge in Golden, are all part of our future. We best honour our past by working towards that better future together.”

“The Easter Sunday experience, honouring volunteers such as Butler, Torpey, and O’Hanlon who are buried in Carrick, was a great one for the young people in the band. Going through adversity together – and that weather was pretty adverse – as a team is great for team- and character-building. Experiences together are what makes a team, and it’s only as a team that Tipperary Republicans can do their bit to bring about a fair society for all.”

PRO Fachtna Roe said, “The next major commemoration in Tipperary will be in Clonmel in May, to acknowledge the painful sacrifice 35 years ago of Republican hunger strikers in a very, very difficult time in Ireland’s history. The Carrick-on-Suir band will again lead the commemorative march, being organised by Clonmel Sinn Féin. While we hope that the weather is good, it’s been shown that that doesn’t really matter to Republicans. When others have given their lives, it’s the least we can do.”

“In particular, I hope every citizen remembers that the volunteers being commemorated died by one of the slowest means possible. They did this in furtherance of their ideal society, a Republic, and to see their land freed from outside domination. Even today, in 2016 some of the more offensive commentators in the media speak of the sacrifice of Republicans as being unnecessary. What those people don’t do, is stop to think whether there is anything they would die for in such a manner. I doubt that very, very much.”

“But if there is, it behoves them based on that parallel to then recognise the strength of the love and desire that Republicans have for the ideal of a free, just and equitable society.”

“Every citizen has a duty to stop and consider that. While RTE broadcasts it’s propaganda, and the ‘Independent’ newspapers never miss an opportunity to spout hatred of Republicans and Republicanism, they fail to acknowledge that even they can only do their daily business as a result of the sacrifice of others. There is an inherent hypocrisy in their reportage, even as they claim the 26 counties are a Republic, which legally they are are not.”

“I advise anyone who is irate when hearing those conservative types speak to phone, write, and by any means ask: “What would you die slowly for?” Courage and commitment takes many forms, and we should be slow to criticise that of others unless we can do the same.”

TD Kathleen Funchion said, “Easter is an important time for Republicans, and that’s every Easter. The mainstream media seem to have only realised lately that a rising took place at all. The establishment supported the execution of the signatories in 1916, believing that this would quench the ideal before it could be born.”

“They were wrong, because you cannot kill an ideal. And you cannot defeat a people bound by principle and acting in solidarity. 100 years on, the Republic has not been achieved. With huge inequality in our country, this next generation of Republicans will work hard to achieve the ideals of 1916.”

Cllr Máire Devine said, “The ideals of the proclamation, guaranteeing religious and civil liberty, championing equal rights and equal opportunities for all citizens irrespective of creed, colour or gender, and cherishing all the children of the nation equally, enshrine Sinn Féin’s core values. In this centenary year, I wish I could say that all these ideals have been achieved – that Ireland is now a better place. I wish I could tell you, that we now have the Republic dreamed of by MacDonagh, Pearse, Markievicz. I cannot, nor can anyone, state that.”

“But Republicans can rightfully state that they haven’t, nor will they ever, stop working for that Republic to be made real.”